Ezekiel 18-20

The Lord clears up a myth in Israel, where there was a belief that He judged the son guilty for the sins of the father, and even blessed the wicked son of a righteous father.  The Lord says that He judges the actions of each person, and holds them accountable.  He says that He does not take pleasure in seeing anyone die in sin, and continually looks for the wicked to repent and turn to Him for forgiveness and life.

In chapter 19 Ezekiel is commanded to take up a lament for the king of Israel who sought the protection of Egypt, but who would ultimately be taken to Babylon in chains.

In chapter 20 some elders of Israel go to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, however the Lord tells Ezekiel that He will not listen to them, and He will not answer them on account of their pervasive wickedness and rebellion against Him.  The Lord recounts the history of Israel, and how there were so many different times when they rejected Him, and they deserved to be completely wiped out, yet each time He withheld His total judgement on account of the Holiness of His own Name.  He says that Israel will remain obstinate towards Him until the last days, when God will completely purge their sin, and they will then realize all that they have done and be ashamed.